HAPPY NEW YEAR!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Today we had a special question and answer period. The students handed in questions and teachers answered them. Next week we are off for Christmas!

YOUTHQUEST BANQUET

YOUTHQUEST BANQUET

Last night we had our Christmas Youth and Family Banquet. With over 70 people attending, it was a great night of celebration.

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sunday December 11, 2011

The NeverEnding Story (2): participate in

The birth of Jesus demanded a response. Two thousand years later, the presence of God, the arrival of Jesus, still demands a response. Even people who have never set foot inside a church know the reason for Christmas—that we are celebrating the birth of Jesus—but everyone, us included, seems to sort of ignore it when it comes down to it. In our culture, Christmas is more of an event about who gets what and making sure we are clear when asking for what we want. The truth is, our experiences with Christmas are more cultural than biblical.

The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35 NIV).

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38 NIV).

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers” (Luke 1:46-55 NIV).

In sending His Son, God was doing more than just fulfilling His promise. He was sending a message: “Once you have responded to Me, will you now participate with Me?”

God’s vision is about making things the way they should be. The beautiful thing about the Christmas story is that God’s vision for the world is still ongoing. It’s a story that didn’t just happen thousands of years ago—it is still going on, it’s never-ending. We need to focus this year on what we give, on what we are able to offer, on how we are able to participate in God’s picture, and not on what we get.

Christmas can remain a relic of the past or it can be something more. We can participate, and we can give.

It’s a story that never ends.

SENIOR HIGHS - FRIDAY DECEMBER 9,2011

volunteering

VOLUNTEERING

Today a few of us volunteered with Anna Rossi at her warehouse. She has a charity called 5with Drive that supports people in Markham and beyond

CORNERSTONE YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

Tonight was a great finish to 2011! Congrats to our winners from both sessions: Krishna/Connor - MVP's, Krishna B and Din (won a book), Ivan - honourable mention MVP, Kishok and Sion - $10 gift card from Best Buy, Turab and Anushan - skull candy headphones - Thanks to Cornerstone Christian Community Church for donating the gifts!!!

YOUTHQUEST POETY

Here's some acrostic poetry made by the youth at one of our youth gatherings

Faith                                               Love
Awesome                                       Opportunities
Important                                       Vows
Thanksgiving                                 Eternity
Humility

Goodness
Oh so wonderful
Our Saviour
Does wonderful stuff
Never ends
Externally and internally pure
Saviour is Jesus
Sing his praise

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sunday December 4th, 2011
Series Overview
A manger. A baby. Shepherds. Stars. The Christmas story is one we look at with great reverence. The peaceful scene is recreated and plastered on everything from phone backgrounds to lawn decorations. But the Christmas story is more than a just a story we look back on and remember. It’s ongoing. It’s active. It’s a story that required a response over 2,000 years ago, and one that requires a response today. It’s a story that invites us to participate in it even today—because the Christmas story is the neverending story.

Session One: Invited to...

When a story is small and distant, it really doesn’t have much impact in our lives, does it? It solicits a nod, a smile, a “that’s nice.” But it doesn’t affect us. It doesn’t move us. It doesn’t shake us. And while many people, us included, tend to approach the Christmas story, the story of Jesus’ birth, in a familiar, typical and remote sort of way, it’s not that kind of story. The Christmas story, at its very core demands a response—good or bad—from you, from me—from anyone who hears it.

YOUTHQUEST MOVIE NIGHT

Tonight we watched soul surfer. A very powerful and inspiring movie. We also watched a clip of another young person making a difference in the world. Let's be world-changers!
http://www.churchleaders.com/outreach-missions/outreach-missions-videos/156542-twenty-one-year-old-adopts-14-girls-in-uganda.html